El Medellot

The northernmost and least-visited islet in Illes Medes, with a gorgonian-filled crack wall to 34 m and groupers from 10 m down.

Last updated April 2026

The dive

North of Meda Gran, the boat ride is a few minutes longer than for every other Medes site. That distance keeps the diver counts down. The north wall of El Medallot has a large crack running through it, the kind that splits a rock face and opens into a sequence of smaller pockets and crevices. Gorgonians grow on the crack faces. The crevices are full of hidden life. Groupers appear early in the descent, already at 10 metres, and follow you down as the wall deepens toward 30 m. Schools of corvina move through at mid-water — not a species you read about at Carall Bernat or Tascó Petit. The dive profile is a classic wall: descend the face, work along the crack feature, look into the blue for anything passing through.

What makes it special

The same reserve that produces the famous tame groupers of Carall Bernat also produces the wildlife here — except these animals see far fewer people. That difference is noticeable. Groupers that have been approached by hundreds of divers a week become furniture. Groupers at El Medallot still respond when you appear. One diver account from the Medes describes a dozen large individuals surrounding the islet, visible in the water column from 10 m all the way to 30 m. That is the same reserve protection at work, without the habituation. The corvinas are a separate data point. Schools of 8-10 individuals have been documented at mid-water here, fish that forum divers found unusual enough to name the post after them.

Know before you go

Ask for it by name. Dive centres may not offer El Medallot unless you request it, and on some days the site does not run at all. The northern exposure matters: this face catches tramontana when the sheltered southern sites are calm. Check conditions when booking, not on the morning. Nitrox makes sense at 34 m. Bring one if the centre offers it. Both sources with detailed descriptions of this site mention looking into the blue beyond the wall. Position yourself on the reef edge and scan open water, not just the crack face. That is where the corvinas school and where any passing pelagic fish will appear first.

Why Dive El Medellot

What makes this dive site stand out.

  1. Unhurried wildlife

    Animals here are less habituated to divers than at southern Medes sites

  2. Crack wall to 34 m

    North-facing wall split by a large crack, crevices full of gorgonians and hidden life

  3. Groupers through the column

    Forum divers report seeing groupers from 10 m down to 30 m in a single dive

  4. Least-dived Medes site

    Request it specifically at booking, centres may not include it by default

Depth & Profile

5m
Min depth
34m
Max depth
10–30m
Typical range
ReefWallRockSand

Location

42.0517°N, 3.2216°E

Conditions & difficulty

Temperature
12°C – 26°C
Visibility
10–20m
Current
Mild
Best season
May-October

Summer months offer warmest water. Northerly position means check conditions in spring and autumn.

Cost

Verify current rates with dive centre

Checked April 3, 2026
ModerateMin cert: Advanced Open WaterNitrox recommended

34 m max depth and northern exposure make this more demanding than most Medes sites. OWD divers must be accompanied by a divemaster or instructor per reserve rules.

Summary

The depth profile and northern exposure can produce different conditions from the sheltered southern sites. Not a typical first Medes dive.

Safety considerations

What can go wrong here, and what divers do about it. Conditions change - take the briefing from the operator on the day.

  • Cold and exposure: Northern position is more exposed to tramontana than the southern sitesCheck conditions with the dive centre before booking. May be unavailable on tramontana days.
  • Depth: Maximum 34 m at the base of the wallPlan nitrox for deep profiles. Monitor computer.

Dive Centers

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Book a guided dive at this site.

Rules and permits

Dive centres in Catalonia must require insurance from every diver on their dives, and must be able to offer a policy to anyone who has none.

Rules for Illes Medes

Frequently Asked Questions

How does El Medallot differ from the other Illes Medes dive sites?▾

El Medallot is the northernmost and least-dived site in the archipelago. Its defining quality is wildlife that is less accustomed to divers than at the heavily-visited southern sites. You get the same groupers, gorgonians, and reserve protection, but animals behave more naturally. Fewer divers per day also means a quieter experience overall.

Do I need to specifically request El Medallot?▾

Yes. Because it is less popular, centres may not include it in their standard site rotation. If you want to dive El Medallot, mention it when booking. Some days it may not run if demand is low or conditions are unfavourable due to its northern exposure.

What is the north wall crack dive like?▾

The main feature is a large crack splitting the north-facing wall, with smaller crevices and pockets throughout. Gorgonians grow on the crack faces and along the surrounding wall, and the crevices shelter hidden marine life. Groupers are present from 10 m down to the base of the wall at 34 m. Schools of corvinas — fish that are effectively absent from most diver reports at other Medes sites — appear mid-water.

Is El Medallot harder to dive than Salpatxot or Carall Bernat?▾

More demanding than Salpatxot, roughly comparable to Carall Bernat. The 34 m maximum depth and northern exposure suit divers with at least Advanced Open Water and some Medes experience. The profile is not extreme, but El Medallot is not a first-dive choice.

Can I see groupers at El Medallot?▾

Yes. One of the more striking diver accounts from this site describes a dozen large groupers surrounding the islet, seen continuously from 10 m to 30 m in a single dive. The groupers at El Medallot are less habituated than those at Carall Bernat or Tascó Petit, which can make encounters feel more unexpected.

What species might I see at El Medallot that I won't see as easily elsewhere in the Medes?▾

Corvinas (a type of croaker) in schools of 8-10 individuals have been documented at mid-water at El Medallot. Greater forkbeard has also been reported here. Neither species appears regularly in accounts from the busier southern sites. The greater forkbeard is a deep-dwelling fish, and sightings near 30 m are the likely depth.

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